Page 18 - Pauza Magazine

pcv projects

Project

Power for Work and Community Inclusion project came

to life. We reviewed a grant they had submitted in
the past and applied the ideas, with an additional
activity program, to expand the limited workspace
in which Poraka Nasha Kumanovo currently func-
By Mary Hulse, MAK 16 tions.

How quickly time flies and life changes, there are At Poraka Nasha, we all work together in one
now new volunteers in Macedonia that are just large room that is partially sectioned off to pro-
starting to get a feel for their communities and vide a semblance of a classroom, but this set-up
work-sites, some who may be wondering how is stretching the resources we have, not to men-
they will bring change to the environment that sur- tion the concentration of the beneficiaries. So my
rounds them. co-workers and I began plans to expand the facil-
ity of the Day Center by adding an outdoor patio
I know I had such thoughts a year ago and once of sorts. The beautiful finished product we have
again those thoughts continue to visit me during today would not have been possible without the
times of quietness. As we all provide assistance to generous outpouring of the community and an ad-
those around us, I hope we can share our stories ditional grant from the state-side NGO, Friends of
of how things came to be and the lives that were Macedonia. The project enabled Poraka Nasha to
touched. build an outdoor extension to the building so that
the beneficiaries could utilize the increased space
During this past year I worked with my organiza- for outside activities and enjoy beautiful weather
tion, Poraka Nasha of Kumanovo, to dream and upon completion of the day’s activities.
complete a SPA project grant through Peace
Corps Macedonia with funding from USAID. Pora- The beneficiaries have thoroughly enjoyed using
ka Nasha is a non-profit that provides independent the outdoor center and we even held a class on
living education and social interaction for adults horticulture, inviting students from the neighbor-
with intellectual disabilities. The center currently ing high school to join us. During the fall, activities
services twenty-one adults from multiple ethnic were regularly held outside along with physical ac-
backgrounds. Every day, breakfast and lunch are tivity. It is a great expansion and the beneficiaries
provided to the individuals who attend the center enjoy having a space to sit outside at the end of
and the meal is always prepared by the beneficia- the day and speak with neighbors as they pass.
ries themselves.
We at Poraka Nasha hope to use this center even
Our project idea arose from a simple concept: what more in the spring and will work on planting trees
had my organization applied to in the past but did and other flowering plants. I enjoyed working with
not receive? Could we possibly look at these ideas my coworkers to bring the grant to fruition and they
again and find elements that we could rework for did an excellent job including me in the process. I
the present time? That is how the Engaging the In- even learned new building and material words in
tellectually Disabled through Expanded Program Macedonian!

18 – Pauza Magazine
18 – Pauza Magazine